Every 45 minutes, or less than the length of a Sesame Street episode, a child visits the ER because of a TV tipping over. It’s something most parents don’t even think about. But securing your TV and furniture is an important part of baby-proofing your home. Here’s all you need to know to get started.

Top Safety Tips

1. Assess the stability of the TVs in your home.
2. Mount flat-screen TVs to the wall to prevent them from toppling off stands. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that you have a secure fit.
3. If you have a large, heavy, old-style cathode ray tube (CRT) TV, place it on a low, stable piece of furniture.
4. Use brackets, braces or wall straps to secure unstable or top-heavy furniture to the wall.
5. Install stops on dresser drawers to prevent them from being pulled all the way out. Multiple open drawers can cause the weight to shift, making it easier for a dresser to fall.
6. Keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
7. Avoid placing remote controls, food, toys or other items in places where babies might be tempted to climb up or reach for them.

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